This in from Andrew Turner‘s office, in their own words. Ed
The Island’s MP Andrew Turner, the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council Cllr. Ian Ward, and Territorial Army (TA) Reservist Tony Marvin met the Minister yesterday, following the announcement in early July that Island-based members of the TA are to be relocated to the mainland because the unit is well below strength.
The meeting was organised by Mr Turner following an exchange in the House of Commons Chamber immediately after the news was announced.
Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) : Drill Hall and Jersey Camp, the TA facilities on the Isle of Wight, are shared by our very strong cadet forces, who number more than 200. Given the unique transport challenges facing the island, the loss of those facilities would be a terrible blow to those young people. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and a group of constituents to discuss the matter?
Mr Hammond: I sense that the Minister for the Armed Forces is anxious to meet my hon. Friend. I can say this: if the facility has 200 cadets, the vacation by the reserves will not make any difference to the cadets’ continued use of it. It will remain in use by the cadets, as will be the case for a significant number of the bases being vacated.
Cllr Ward, a retired Major said,
“I felt we put forward a very strong case to retain the Drill Hall for continued use by our cadet forces. We pointed out the lack of alternative facilities on the Island and the time and expense that would be involved in travelling to the mainland. We have a vibrant and enthusiastic cadet force on the Island and we were able to give the Minister plenty of detail about how often those youngsters use the hall and what they use it for. I was very pleased that the Minister confirmed that Jersey Camp will remain open; it is an important facility and also very well-used.
“We have reinforced the point put by Andrew back in July and supported it with plenty of hard evidence. I am very hopeful of a positive result.”
Tony Marvin, who was an officer in the Regular Army and more recently, as a Regular Reservist has completed three tours of Afghanistan commented,
“It is very sad that we currently have only 13 Island-based Territorials who because of the nature of the unit travel to the mainland to train.
“The Minister explained that with the planned locations of the new Army Reserve we would need to have many more potential Territorials before a separate unit would be viable.”
